Chad Dawson vs Adonis Stevenson on June 8

WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson will defend his title against Adonis Stevenson on June 8 at the famed Bell Centre in Montreal.

Stevenson (20-1), instead of waiting for his mandatory shot at IBF 168 pound titlist Carl Froch, jumped at the opportunity to fight Dawson and move up to light heavyweight.

The fight will be co-promoted by Groupe Yron Michel (GYM) and Gary Shaw productions, co-presentation of Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron.

"Adonis Stevenson's goal isn't only to become world champion," said GYM president Yron Michel. "Adonis has everything needed to be a major international attraction in professional boxing but to get there he needed the platform offered to him on June 8, fighting a crafty, dangerous opponent on a prestigious television network for a world title. The table is set for Adonis, his future is now in his fists of steel."

It will be Dawson's first outing since he dropped down to super middleweight to unsuccessfully challenge WBA/WBC champion Andre Ward, who retained his belts by way of a 10th round stoppage in September last year.